John Maggs has defended his tactics during Saturday's win over Hendon, declaring that it was the greater strength of substitute Steve Davies that helped his side turn defeat into a victory. The manager's decision to replace teenage midfielder Adam Hutchings met with disapproval from several supporters but Maggs insisted that the final result meant that his actions were fully vindicated. "We were getting battered in the first half and the heavy conditions just didn't suit the lad," he explained. "I can't understand it when people say its wrong for me to take Adam off but, in my view, its not fair to keep him on when its not happening for him. At the end of the day, I'm there to win games for Horsham Football Club and sometimes I'm going to make a decision that proves to be unpopular but I don't think anyone would disagree that we were a different side when Steve came on. Adam is definitely one for the future and that is why I have nurtured him, and the likes of young Tony (Nwachukwu), because you can see the talent that they both have. But when you're getting overrun on a heavy pitch, you need to add a bit more strength in to the middle and that's what Steve gave us. We were a lot stronger after the substitution, but that's no disrespect to Adam, and we were by far the better side after the break."

The Hornets could have no complaints after trailing 1-0 to Gary McGann's strugglers at the break and, but for the heroics of goalkeeper Josh Pelling, the visitors might have had the game wrapped up by half-time. "Josh was outstanding," Maggs continued. "His handling was immaculate, he was very quick to come off his line and one particular save with his legs was excellent and stopped them getting back in to the game late on." But it wasn't just the Hendon players that caused the young 'keeper problems. "I told Anthony Acheampong that he was Hendon's most dangerous forward," joked Maggs, after the tall defender endured a match to forget. "He must have had 2 or 3 goes at trying to beat our 'keeper and, to be fair, I don't think we could have had any complaints if Josh had been sent off after Anthony headed the ball over his head. He brought their fella down, no question of it, and we were very lucky to get away with it. Anthony's not had the best of games but it's a reflection on the atmosphere in the dressing room that he took my comment in good humour.

We were disappointing in the first half but I didn't lay in to them at all. I just told them that they were much better than that and I've got to say that I was delighted with their response. Our attitude after the break was first class and our fitness and spirit grew the longer the game went on so I'm well pleased." Maggs' delight would have increased with the news that Ben Andrews suffered nothing more than cramp and tiredness, after limping out of the game during the latter stages. "That's all it was really. It was an energy sapping pitch and Ben got a touch of cramp. He put himself a hell of a lot and it took a toll on his legs until he just couldn't take any more. He'll be okay to face Dartford, for sure."